A ROCKY-style boxing club, which has coached several international champs, is still in a desperate state of repair.

As previously reported, South Bank Amateur Boxing Club, on Redcar Road, needs a major refurbishment.

The club, which has trained numerous top boxers - including Commonwealth Games gold medalist Simon Vallily - has holes in its roof and windows, plus no heating or water.

Due to the conditions, which also include damp and condensation, the club has now been forced to move downstairs into the closed South Bank Conservative Club.

Denis Power runs the training sessions along with his son David, a 30-year-old care worker from Teesville.

Denis, 60, said: “Luckily the guy who owns the club has let us move downstairs.

“We’ve moved the snooker tables out and have put up scaffolding to hang the boxing bags from.

“We’re not sure how long we’re going to be here for, but it is better conditions than upstairs.”

Following an appeal in the Gazette in March, the club - which also trains former featherweight champion Paul Truscott - has received some financial assistance from the Teesside Philanthropic Foundation and another individual.

But Denis says more is needed to transform the club, which he believes is “vital” to the area.

Around 30 young boys and men, aged from nine up to their late 20s, attend the sessions and, along with boxing skills, Denis says the lads learn self-respect and discipline.

He said: “The place is packed all the time. Lots of young people come along and it keeps them off the streets.”

Denis, who won the Evening Gazette’s Mentor of the Year award in 2009, says the club has seen many boxing accomplishments in the past year, including two members training with team GB in Mauritius.

And another two are about to turn professional.

Denis says they’re now gearing up for a successful New Year.

The former firefighter from Coulby Newham, who started the club in 1990, said: “We’re looking forward to the New Year and we hope we do even better than 2011 and that we can do it in better conditions.”